Bracing apparatus for sheet metal



1,644,278 Oct. 4, 1927. R. T. ROMNE v BRACING APPARATUS FOR SHEET METAL Filed Aug. 11, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I o a, J i o 1 i 40 as V Jnvezziar:

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. t. 4 1927. 0c R. T. ROMINE BRACING APPARATUS FOR SHEET METAL H 1 w M m a m or S 2 1 u w w 2 S 7 %7 1 1 $2 3 v 7 a 1 2 W 7 o 1 I 1. H m 9 M 1 9 y B F a 6 Z 2 3 7 7 1 m a 7 1 3 2 2 4% H 7 0 .92 7 I, 4 l I I 4 w] Patented Qct. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES ROBERT '1. BOHINE, HOUR! CLEMENS, KIOEIGAN.

BRACING APPARATUS FOR SHEET RETAIL.

Application filed Augult 11, 1920. Serial llo. 120,509.

This invention relates to a method for bracing or crating metal sheets in stacks in freight cars for shipment therein, and to apparatus whereby the method may be carried out in a practicable and efliclent manner. An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for binding or clamping stacks of metal sheets on t e floor of a freight car wherein the indivldual sheets 1 of the stack will be held against relatlve movement, thus enabling the stack to remain intact during transit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of bracing or binding the 1 stack of metal sheets which will be relatively simple and inexpensive, and in which the weight of the bracing apparatus will be reduced to a minimum, thereby resulting in a considerable saving in freight rates when returning the apparatus'to the steel mlll.

An important purpose, therefore, is to provide astrong, efficient, and relatively simple apparatus for bracing or securing the sheets in stacks within the car to resist any tendency of the stack or individual sheets to become displaced, while at the same time rep ducing to a minimum the weight of the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to resist relative movement of the metal sheets during transit by frictional engagement of the edges of the sheets, and more particularly the edges extending lengthwise of the car, and under pressure. The invention in its more specific application, shown for the purposes of illustration herein, provides for frictional engagement of the opposite edges of the metal sheets under pressure, and still more specifically of the opposite edges of the sheets of a pack in which the sheets are stacked flatwise.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings formin a part of this specification wherein like re erence characters designate corresponding .parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing two stacks of sheet metal at one end of a freight car, and illustrating the manner in which the stacks are handled in units.

F 2 is a side elevation illustrating a stack of metal sheets braced or clamped in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on line 3-3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation taken substantlally on line 4-4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5,

Fig. 2.

ig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the bottom gripping plates.

Before ex laming in detail the present invention, an the method or mode of operation embodied therein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its apphcation to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawin since the invention is capable of other em odiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims hereto appended or the requirements of the nor art.

The handling and shipment of metal sheets, such as steel, has always involved serious difficulties and disadvantages due to the fact that the sheets shift or break loose on the car floor, causing great damage to the cars and damaging the sheets to such an extent as to render them defective. The cars during transit are subjected to collisions and shocks, frequently of a very severe character, resulting in extreme shifting of the metal sheets on the car floor, and often the sheets are driven against the walls of the car with such force as to smash them out.

In accordance with other inventions of mine described in Patents 1,615,812 and 1,- 615,813, granted January 25, 1927, I have provided methods and apparatus for loading and unhoading sheet metal in stacks or bundles, without any manual handling of the.

separate sheets as heretofore. For. instance, a freight car of normal forty tons capacity is loaded by carrying bodily into the car and depositing therein successive approximately 10-ton stacks of metal, and the car at its destination is unloaded b picking up each 10-ton stack as a unit an carrying it out of the car. Thus, none of the sheets are separately touched or handled during the loading and unloadin operations. Very important advantages an large savings are obtained by these methods, not only to the railroad companies, but to the manufacturers and consumers.

In shipping sheet metal with the sheets of each stack orpack piled flatwise, one of the greatest difliculties, as determined by actual tests, has been to maintain a heavy stack of metal, such as ten tons in welght, against bodily movement as a result of Very severe collisions or shocks to which the car is subjected. Where buttresses are placed against the ends of the stack and 1f thestack commences to move or a whipping action 1s set up, either the buttresses will be damaged by impact of the sheets, or the entire stack will shift on the floor, or if the sheets are held, the will become crimped from impact with or rom striking against the buttresses.

Another difficulty encountered in shipping the sheets flatwise has been the tendency of the sheets in the middle of the stack to shift or shoot out relatively to the top and bottom of the stack in a direction lengthwise of the car.

The foregoing difliculties have been overcome by virtue of the present invention, in which I have conceived the idea of providing means for frictionally gripping the longitudinal edges of the sheets or the opposite side edges running lengthwise of the car, so that not only the outer portions of the stack will remain intact, but also the central portions. By accomplishing this, the stack will arrive at its destination suificiently intact to facilitate the use of my stack lifter in the car to lift the stack onto the loadelevating platform of a lift truck, or other device for conveying the stack bodily out of the car.

The frictional action, above referred to, is preferably developed by means of relatively softer material than the metal sheets, such as wood, the friction material being positively pressed into engagement with the edges of the sheets, and arranged in such manner with respect to the edges of the sheets that the latter are embedded in the material during transit. This embedding may result not only from the initial pressure engaging the material and sheet edges, but also as a result of the vibratory motion of the sheets whether arranged flatwise as shownherein, or edgewise as shown in my co-pending applications, Serial No. 118,061, filed June 23, 1926, and Serial No. 141,132, filed October 12, 1926, the broad claims covering this generic idea as common to both flatwise and edgewise loading being embodied in this case.

The bracing or clamping apparatus, in its present preferred form, includes a pair of angle bars 9 positioned at the opposite lower longitudinal corners of the stack of sheets S. Each metal angle bar 9 is preferably approximately the length of the stack and confines the opposite lower corners of the stack. Secured to the bottom flange 9 of each angle 9 and spaced therefrom by means of a wood spacer member 10, is a steel gripping plate 11. This-plate has substantially the same width as the flange 9 and substantially the same length. Each end of the gripping plate or bar 11-is bent up at 12 and then outwardly to form an attaching flange 13, and the flanges 13 at opposite ends of the bar 11 are riveted at 14 to the opposite ends of the flange 9 of each angle bar 9. The bar 11 is also riveted at intervals along its length at 15 to the bottom flange 9", and these rivets are countersunk, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, to provide a smooth surface at the upper face of the flange 9". The gripping bar 11 is formed with a multiplicity of downwardly extending projections or cleats 17, and these are formed by means of a die which is operated to press or punch out the metal at 16 to form the triangular or relatively sharp wedge-shaped projections 17. It will be noted that the alternate pairs of projections 17 (see Fig. 2), are inclined in opposite directlons, or extend in converging relation, and these projections, due to the weight of the stack, will become embedded in the floor of the car. And since alternate sets of the projections are inclined in opposite directions, the stack will be held against displacement on the car floor in opposite directions.

The wood spacer member 10 preferably terminates somewhat short of the bent portion 12 at each end of the gripping plate, forming guide spaces 18 through each of which is passed a steel cable 19 adjacent each 24. This turnbuckle comprises a pair of threaded turnbuckle rods 25 and 26 terminating respectively in grab hooks 25 and 26 The body of the chains 22 and 23 may be adjustably connected within the bite of the grab hooks and the turnbuckle operated so as to tighten the chains and cables around the stack.

Interposed between the sets of chains 22 and 23 at the upper longitudinal edges of the stack are a pair of angle bars 27 preferably similar to the angle bars 9 at the lower corners of the stack. The angle bars 27 have the same length as the lower angle bars and embrace or confine the opposite upper longitudinal corners of the stack.

Intermediate the pair of flexible cable devices for tying together the sheets at opposite ends of the stack, and for clamping the I-bar comprises a central web 28 terminat ing at opposite edges in flanges 28 at right angles to the web 28, which form therewith vertical channels at opposite sides of the web 28. Fitted into the channel of each I-bar at the inner side thereof is a wood strip 29, or other suitable material softer than the metal sheets S. This strip or bar 29, in the present instance of wood, is of such length as to fit between the opposed edges of the vertical flanges 27 and 9 of the ad acent upper and lower pairs of angles 27 and 9, as shown in Fi 4. The wood member or bar 29 has a thlckness suflicient to enable it to be compressed and embedded somewhat in the edges of the sheets.

The opposite bars 28 of each set are connected together at their upper ends by means of oppositely extending turnbuckle rods 30 and 31. These rods are threaded and adjustably connected together by a turnbuckle 32, and the outer ends of the rods project through any of a vertical series of holes 34 in the web 28 of each I-bar 28. The outer ends of the rods 30 and 31 are threaded and carry nuts 33 for adjustment. The lower ends of the bars 28 in the present instance are connected together by means of a rod 35, the opposite threaded ends of which project through holes in the lower ends of the bars 28 and carry at the outer sides of the bars adjusting nuts 36.

From the foregoing construction it will be seen that when the up er and lower sets of adjusting devices are in htened by means of nuts 33 and 36, the frlctional material 29 will be compressed against the opposite edges of the sheets of the stack and preferably adjacent the ends thereof. The lnward movement of I bars 28 will be limited by the vertical flanges 27 and 9 of the corner angle members. The wood gripping mem bers 29, however, are of such thickness as to be ressed and somewhat embedded in the opposite longitudinal edges of the stack, as shown in Fig. 4.

When the freight cars are subjected to severe shocks or blows, the action of the upper and lower sets of angle members 9 and 27 is to frictionally bind the corners of the stack and hold the top and bottom portions thereof to the depth of the angles against shifting lengthwise of the car. The central portions of the stack will also be held against shifting, due to the fact that the edge of each sheet will be in contact with the wood 29 and will tend to embed itself therein so as to be held against movement by friction as well as compression.

It will be observed that the pressure of the frictional material is on two opposite edges of the sheets, in the present instance at the sides of the ack instead of at the bottom and top of t e pack, as shown in my 00- pending applications referred to above. This frictional engagement of both opposite edges not only doubles the frictional resistance which is developed when only one edge is frictionally engaged but resists movement of the sheets away from the frictional material, and also tends to maintain the sheets together as a unit.

In loading a car having approximately forty tons capacity, four stacks, such as ten tons in weight, ma be successively carried into the car and eposited bodily on the floor, two stacks at each end of the car. The bracing or clamping devices are first applied to the stack, usually at the mill where the sheets are piled or stacked. The stack may then be carried on the lift platform L of a ten-ton lift, truck directly into the car into position between the legs 40 and 41 of a ten-ton stack lifter U, the stack lifter having first been wheeled into the proper position, such as shown in Fig. 1. The lift truck and stack lifter are preferably constructed in accordance with my copending applications. The stack lifter is provided with power mechanism and hoisting drums. for operating four hoisting cables each terminating in a sheave block 50 and hook 51. The hooks are connected to the four eyelinks 21, and the stack lifter operated either to lift the stack from the truck platform onto the car floor when loadin the car, or to lift the stack from the car oor onto the truck platform when unloading the car. The truck platform L will be propelled into and out of position beneath the stack at the proper time.

What I claim is 1. The hereindescribed method of loading or crating sheet metal flatwise in stacks in a car, consistin in compressing members of relatively so ter material than the sheets against the edges of the sheets running lengthwise of the car, thereby to resist frictionally movement of the sheets during transit.

2. The hereindescribed method of loading or crating sheet metal flatwise in a car, con- 1 sisting in positioning metal members provided with wood surfaces at their inner sides against opposite ed es of the sheets extending lengthwise of the car, and compressing said surfaces against the longitudinal ed es of the sheets, thereby to resist frictionally movement of the sheets during transit.

3. The herein described method of packing sheet metal in a pack on the floor of a freight car for transportation, which conllO sists in compressing members of relatively softer material than the sheets against the edges of the sheets runnin lengthwise of the car, thereby to frictiona ly resist relatlve sliding movement of the sheets during porting sheet metal on the floor of a freight.

car, which consists in binding angle members against the corners of a pack of sheets, which corners extend longitudinally of the car, to hold the top and bottom portions of the pack against relative movement longltudinally of the car, compressing wood sur-- faces against opposite edges of the sheets extending longitudinally of the car interme diate said angle members whereby to resist relative sliding movement of the sheets.

6. The herein described method of transporting sheet metal on the floor of a freight car, which consists in holding the metal sheets together in a pack, and maintaining the edges of the sheets in frictional enga ement under pressure with surfaces of re atively softer material whereby to resist relative sliding of the sheets in transit.

' 7. The hereindescribed method which con sists in clamping a gripping member to the bottom of a stack to embed itself in a car I floor and hold the stack against movement as a Whole, and clamping wood members against the opposite longitudinal edges of the sheets so as to frictionally hold the center portion of the stack against displacement.

8. The herein described method of transporting sheet metal fiatwise in a pack on a freight car floor, which consists in compressing members of relatively softer material against opposite edges of the sheets running lengthwise of the car whereby to resist relative sliding movement of the sheets in transit.

9. The herein described method of transporting sheet metal fiatwise in packs on a freight car floor, which consists in compressing vertically disposed members of relatively softer material extending substantially the height of the pack against the opposite edges of the sheets whereby to resist relative sliding movement of the sheets in transit.

10. Apparatus for packing sheet metal in a pack on a floor of a freight car for transportation, with opposite edges of the sheets extending lengthwise of the car, comprising relatively softer engaging material facing said edges, and means for binding the pack together as a unit, and for forcing the material and said edges into contact whereby to frictionally resist sliding movement of said sheets.

11. Bracing or crating apparatus for flat stacked sheet metal bundles or stacks comprising angle members positioned at longitudinal corners of the sheets, wood members engaging the longitudinal edges of the sheets intermediate said angle members, metal members en aging said wood members, and means for c amping said metal members together.

12. Bracing or crating apparatus for flat stacked sheet metal bundles or stacks comprising angle members at longitudinal corners of the sheets, metal members provided with wood surfaces engaging a side or sides of the sheets and means extending above and below the stack for clamping said last members against the stack to compress said wood surfaces against the longitudinal edges of the sheets intermediate said angle members.

13. Bracing or crating apparatus for flat stacked sheet metal bundles or stacks comprising upright buttresses placed at opposite edges of the stack, one or both of said buttresseshaving a surface of softer material than the sheets engaging the edges thereof, and means above and below the stackfor drawing said buttresses together relatively to the stack.

14. Apparatus for packing sheet metal in a pack on the floor of a freight car for transportation, with opposite edges extending lengthwise of the car, and with the sheets disposed fiatwise, comprising wood engaging material facing said edges, and means for binding the pack together as a unit and for forcing said wood material and said edges into contact whereby to frictionally resist sliding movement of said sheets.

15. Bracing or crating apparatus for sheet metal bundles or stacks, comprising a metal gripping plate beneath the stack hav ing bottom gripping projections pressed from the metal thereof, devices extending beneath the stack for clamping the sheets and said gripping plate together, and means for causing the weight of the stack to be sustained by said gripping plate free of said devices.

16. Bracing or crating apparatus for sheet metal bundles or stacks, comprising a metal gripping plate beneath the stack having bottom gripping projections pressed from the metal thereof, devices extending beneath the stack for clamping the sheets and said gripping plate together, and means connected with said gripping plate for spacing the same from the bottom of the stack to permit the passage of said devices between the stack and gripping plate.

17. Apparatus for packing sheet metal in a pack on the floor of a freight car for transportation, comprising wood supporting members interposed between the pack and the car floor, binding devices extending about the pack to maintain the sheets as a unit, said wood members forming guide spaces through which said devices extend beneath the pack, and additional wood members interposed between said devices and the edges of the sheets.

18. In a bracing apparatus for sheet metal packs, the combination of a bottom gripping plate havin projections adapted to be embedded in tlie car floor, a gripping member positioned at the longitudinal edges of the sheets and adapted to be embedded in said edges, and devices for clamping said plate and member to the pack.

19. In a bracing apparatus for sheet metal packs, the combination of a pair of angle members at the opposite lower corners of the pack and having gripping projections adapted to be embedded in the car floor, a wood gripping member positioned at the longitudinal edges of the sheets and adapted to be embedded in said edges, and devices for clamping said members to the pack.

20. The herein described method of transporting sheet metal on a freight car floor, which consists in forming a pack of sheets with edges dis osed for frictional enga ement, and in rictionally resisting relative movement of the sheets during transit by arranging relatively softer material against such edges of the sheets so that the latter are embedded in the material during transit.

21. In a bracing apparatus for sheet metal packs, the combinatlon of devices for holding the sheets of the pack intact and including a bottom gripping member engageable with the car floor for holding the stack against movement, and wood members engaging opposite longitudinal edges of the stack for frictionally holding the center sheets of the stack against longitudinal displacement.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROBERT T. ROMINE. 

